Generation of biologically active endostatin fragments from human collagen XVIII by distinct matrix metalloproteases

• Published in: Experimental cell research 2005-07, Vol.307 (2), p.292-304
• Main Authors: Heljasvaara, Ritva, Nyberg, Pia, Luostarinen, Jani, Parikka, Mataleena, Heikkilä, Pia, Rehn, Marko, Sorsa, Timo, Salo, Tuula, Pihlajaniemi, Taina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; ACETATES; Amino Acid Sequence; Blotting, Western; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - drug effects; CELL PROLIFERATION; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; COLLAGEN; Collagen Type I - metabolism; Collagen Type XVIII - isolation & purification; Collagen Type XVIII - metabolism; Collagen XVIII; Collagenases - genetics; Collagenases - metabolism; CULTURE MEDIA; Culture Media, Conditioned - chemistry; Endostatin; Endostatins - genetics; Endostatins - metabolism; Endostatins - pharmacology; Endothelial cell migration; Endothelial cell proliferation; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; FIBROBLASTS; Gene Expression - genetics; GROWTH FACTORS; Hepatoblastoma; Humans; Hydroxamic Acids - chemistry; IN VITRO; Matrix metalloproteases; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Matrix Metalloproteinases - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinases - metabolism; NEOPLASMS; Peptide Fragments - genetics; Peptide Fragments - metabolism; Peptide Fragments - pharmacology; POLYPEPTIDES; Recombinant Proteins; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; VEINS
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.03.021

Endostatin, a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and tumor growth, is proteolytically cleaved from the C-terminal noncollagenous NC1 domain of type XVIII collagen. We investigated the endostatin formation from human collagen XVIII by several MMPs in vitro. The generation of endostatin fragments differing in molecular size (24–30 kDa) and in N-terminal sequences was identified in the cases of MMP-3, -7, -9, -13 and -20. The cleavage sites were located in the protease-sensitive hinge region between the trimerization and endostatin domains of NC1. MMP-1, -2, -8 and -12 did not show any significant activity against the C-terminus of collagen XVIII. The anti-proliferative effect of the 20-kDa endostatin, three longer endostatin-containing fragments generated in vitro by distinct MMPs and the entire NC1 domain, on bFGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells was established. The anti-migratory potential of some of these fragments was also studied. In addition, production of endostatin fragments between 24–30 kDa by human hepatoblastoma cells was shown to be due to MMP action on type XVIII collagen. Our results indicate that certain, especially cancer-related, MMP family members can generate biologically active endostatin-containing polypeptides from collagen XVIII and thus, by releasing endostatin fragments, may participate in the inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis.